Ciara Princess Wilson is a multi-talented American artist involved in singing, songwriting, business, dancing, modeling, and acting. Her debut album, "Goodies" (2004), launched her career with the hit single "Goodies" topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. The album achieved triple-platinum certification from the RIAA and garnered two Grammy nominations. Ciara's success continued with chart-topping singles like "1, 2 Step" and "Oh," and collaborations on popular tracks like "Lose Control" and "Like You."
Ciara appeared on the cover of the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, making her the third musician to do so since the issue launched in 1964.
The Revlon fragrance "Ciara" was introduced in 1973, which later inspired the name of the singer.
'Goodies' became the longest-running number-one debut single by a female artist since 1977.
Ciara Princess Harris was born on October 25, 1985, in Fort Hood, Texas.
In 2002, Ciara began her songwriting journey, contributing to Blu Cantrell's debut album and Fantasia Barrino's debut album. During this time, she met music producer Jazze Pha, with whom she would later collaborate extensively.
Ciara was signed to LaFace Records by executive L.A. Reid in 2003 after graduating high school.
The lead single from Ciara's debut album, "Goodies" featuring Petey Pablo, was released on June 8, 2004. The song became an instant hit, topping charts internationally and establishing Ciara as a rising star.
Ciara's debut album, "Goodies," was released on September 28, 2004. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, solidifying her entry into the music industry.
In 2004, all 12 songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 were by African-American recording artists, exemplifying urban music's commercial dominance, including Ciara's 'Goodies'.
In early 2004, Ciara wrote and recorded the demo for "Goodies" with producer Sean Garrett. The demo caught the attention of Lil Jon, who then collaborated with Ciara to create the final version, which would become her debut single.
With the release of her debut single 'Goodies', Ciara was dubbed the Princess of Crunk or the First Lady of Crunk&B. 'Goodies' spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004.
Ciara rose to prominence with the release of her debut album "Goodies" in 2004. The album's lead single, also titled "Goodies," topped the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, establishing her as a leading figure in the music industry.
"Oh," featuring Ludacris, was released as the third single from Ciara's debut album "Goodies" on March 5, 2005. The song achieved global success, charting in the top 10 in multiple countries.
On July 12, 2005, Ciara released "Goodies: The Videos & More," a CD/DVD featuring remixes and new songs, further capitalizing on the success of her debut album.
Ciara embarked on the Holiday Jam Tour with Chris Brown and Bow Wow in December 2005. This same year, she received her first Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video for her contribution to Missy Elliott's "Lose Control."
In 2005, Ciara's collaborations on Missy Elliott's "Lose Control" and Bow Wow's "Like You" further solidified her presence in the music scene. Both singles reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ciara ventured into acting with her debut in the MTV Films production "All You've Got" in May 2006, portraying Becca Whiley, a teenager participating in a volleyball tournament.
Ciara's debut album, "Goodies," was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 10, 2006, marking a significant milestone in her career.
In October 2006, Ciara embarked on her first headlining tour across seventeen clubs in the United States. While met with mixed reviews concerning pre-recorded tracks and tour preparedness, critics applauded her energetic choreography.
On December 5, 2006, Ciara released her second studio album, "Ciara: The Evolution." The album was a significant milestone as it showcased Ciara's personal and musical growth while exploring the evolution of music, dance, and fashion.
Ciara made her film debut in "All You've Got" in 2006.
In 2006, Ciara's singles "Get Up" featuring Chamillionaire, and "Promise" achieved international success. "Get Up," featured in the film "Step Up," soared to number seven in the United States and number five in New Zealand. "Promise" reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Her second studio album Ciara: The Evolution (2006) was influenced by Michael Jackson, Prince, and pop singer Madonna.
Ciara's second album, "Ciara: The Evolution," was released in 2006. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart and featured the hit single "Get Up" featuring Chamillionaire, which reached the top ten.
In August 2007, Ciara co-headlined the Screamfest '07 tour with rapper T.I., garnering praise for her captivating dance moves and ability to command a sold-out arena.
In 2007, Ciara became the face of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line for their "I Will Not Lose" women's campaign. She also appeared on the cover of Vibe Magazine, which caused controversy due to the appearance of nudity, which she later clarified was due to airbrushing.
Ciara engaged in discussions to create an affordable clothing line with the department store Steve & Barry's in June 2008, although the project did not come to fruition.
On September 5, 2008, Ciara joined fifteen other female artists to perform "Just Stand Up!" at the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special, contributing to the $100 million raised for cancer research.
Ciara contributed to the song "Just Stand Up!" alongside other female artists in September 2008. The proceeds from the single went towards cancer research.
Ciara's third album, "Fantasy Ride," was originally slated for a September 2008 release, marking a new chapter in her musical journey.
In October 2008, Ciara received recognition for her accomplishments in the music industry by being named Billboard's "Woman of the Year."
Ciara considered herself to reach 'a career pinnacle' when she featured on Janet Jackson's 2008 album Discipline.
Crunk&B was one of the most popular genres of sung African-American music until it was replaced by electropop on the charts in 2008.
January 2009 saw the release of "Never Ever," the official lead single from "Fantasy Ride," featuring Young Jeezy. This track peaked at number nine on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
After facing several postponements, "Fantasy Ride" was released in May 2009, showcasing Ciara's evolving musical style, blending her signature R&B and hip hop sound with elements of pop and dance.
During June 2009, Ciara served as a support act for Britney Spears's Circus tour, delivering eight nights of electrifying performances at London's renowned O2 Arena. Her performances were met with high praise, with many highlighting her exceptional dancing skills.
In July 2009, Ciara co-headlined the Jay-Z & Ciara Live tour with Jay-Z, receiving mixed reviews for her performance.
Ciara's modeling career saw significant developments in 2009 as she appeared in the German edition of Vogue and became the face of Verizon's multimedia campaign for the LG Chocolate Touch smartphone.
Ciara used her platform to support Dosomething.org's "Do Something 101" campaign in 2009, raising awareness and school supplies for students in need.
Ciara's third studio album, "Fantasy Ride," was released in 2009 and included the Grammy-nominated single "Love Sex Magic" featuring Justin Timberlake.
At the time of Fantasy Ride's (2009) release, Ciara introduced her alter ego 'Super C', representing her inner strength and aggressive persona.
February 2010 saw Ciara collaborating with Pitbull on the remix of Ludacris' hit single "How Low."
Ciara was announced as the spokesperson for Adidas Originals' new ad campaign in March 2010, further expanding her presence in the fashion industry.
On April 26, 2010, Ciara released "Ride," the lead single from "Basic Instinct," featuring Ludacris. The song peaked at number 42 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
In November 2010, Ciara joined the Summerbeatz tour, sharing the stage with artists like Flo Rida, Jay Sean, Akon, Travie McCoy, and Ja Rule.
Ciara's fourth studio album, "Basic Instinct," was released on December 14, 2010, marking a return to her R&B and urban roots, reminiscent of her earlier hits like "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step."
Ciara released her fourth studio album, "Basic Instinct," in 2010.
In February 2011, Ciara took to Facebook to express her dissatisfaction with Jive Records, citing inadequate promotion and funding for her music. She revealed feeling unsupported by the label, even resorting to personally financing the promotion of certain singles.
By May 2011, Ciara's name was no longer listed on the Jive Records website roster, marking a significant development in her dispute with the label.
Reports emerged on July 12, 2011, that Ciara had signed with Epic Records, reuniting her with L.A. Reid, a prominent figure in the music industry.
Ciara's signing with Epic Records was officially confirmed in September 2011, marking a fresh start for her music career.
Throughout the summer of 2011, Ciara participated in the Malibu Rum Tour, captivating audiences with her performances across seven shows in the United States.
Following the commercial performance of "Basic Instinct," Ciara signed with Epic Records in 2011.
During an interview in February 2012, Ciara emphasized her deliberate approach to recording her fifth studio album, prioritizing a positive and organic creative process.
In a press conference with MTV in May 2012, Ciara revealed the title of her upcoming fifth studio album as "One Woman Army," building anticipation for its release.
The single "Sweat," featuring rapper 2 Chainz, premiered online on June 4, 2012, initially intended as the lead single from "One Woman Army."
Despite plans for a June 19, 2012 release on iTunes, the release of "Sweat" was abruptly canceled for undisclosed reasons.
On August 13, 2012, Ciara confirmed "Sorry" as the official lead single for "One Woman Army," shifting the promotional focus of the album.
The official music video for "Sorry" premiered on September 13, 2012, across major music platforms, including BET's 106 & Park and VEVO.
"Sorry" became available for digital download on September 25, 2012, marking its official release to the public.
On October 9, 2012, "Sorry" was released to U.S. Urban contemporary and Rhythmic radio stations, expanding its reach to a wider audience.
Rap-Up magazine provided fans with a sneak peek of "Got Me Good," the second single from "One Woman Army," on October 21, 2012, through exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
On October 25, 2012, the song and music video for "Got Me Good," directed by Joseph Kahn, were publicly unveiled on the Sony JumboTron in New York City's Times Square.
"Got Me Good" was officially released as a digital download on November 6, 2012.
Ciara appeared in two films in 2012: "Mama, I Want to Sing!" and "That's My Boy."
In 2012, Ciara showcased her acting skills in two films: "Mama, I Want to Sing!" and "That's My Boy," expanding her creative pursuits beyond music.
"Body Party" was released in March 2013, marking a shift in the album's direction and eventually reaching number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ciara made a guest appearance as herself on the Season 6 premiere of BET's "The Game" which aired on March 26, 2013, and continued to make recurring appearances throughout the season.
Ciara's album, initially titled "One Woman Army," was renamed "Ciara" on April 15, 2013. The previously released singles were dropped from the album, and "Body Party" was chosen as the new lead single.
On July 9, 2013, Ciara's self-titled album, "Ciara," was officially released, featuring the hit single "Body Party."
Producer Mike WiLL Made It revealed in September 2013 that Ciara had commenced work on her sixth studio album.
Ciara confirmed in December 2013 that she was actively working on her sixth studio album, generating anticipation among fans.
Ciara released her self-titled fifth studio album in 2013, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and featured the hit single "Body Party."
In 2013, Ciara released "Body Party," a critically acclaimed hit that achieved double platinum certification in the U.S. and garnered numerous accolades.
Ciara made her television series debut in "The Game" in 2013.
Ciara and rapper Future got engaged in 2013.
During the recording of her fifth self-titled album Ciara (2013), she was inspired by Al Green and Missy Elliott.
In late January 2014, Ciara gave a live performance of her song "Anytime" at the Degree Women Grammys Celebration in Los Angeles, offering a glimpse into her new music.
The studio version of "Anytime," featuring Future, premiered on February 2, 2014, produced by Boi-1da and Katalyst.
Ciara shared in an interview that her sixth studio album would draw significant inspiration from her then-fiancé, Future.
In May 2014, Ciara gave birth to her first child, a son fathered by Future, marking a significant personal milestone.
Ciara's son with rapper Future was born on May 19, 2014.
Ciara ended her engagement with rapper Future in August 2014.
On January 26, 2015, "I Bet" was released as the lead single from Ciara's upcoming album, "Jackie."
Ciara's sixth studio album, "Jackie," was officially released on May 1, 2015, featuring the singles "I Bet" and "Dance like We're Making Love."
In May 2015, Ciara went on her first headlining tour in six years. The Jackie Tour commenced on May 3, 2015, covering numerous cities across the US.
Ciara released the single "I Bet" in 2015, which went platinum in the U.S., further solidifying her presence in the music industry.
Following her high-profile breakup with Future, Ciara decided to postpone the release of her sixth album to 2015, choosing to focus on motherhood and quietly working on new music.
Ciara released her sixth studio album, "Jackie," in 2015.
Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson began dating in early 2015.
Ciara and Russell Wilson announced their engagement on March 11, 2016.
Ciara's modeling career reached new heights in 2016 as she signed a contract with IMG Models and became a Global Brand Ambassador for Revlon, a renowned cosmetics brand.
In 2016, Ciara made notable appearances, hosting the Billboard Music Awards and announcing her pregnancy during the American Music Awards red carpet.
Throughout 2016, Ciara dedicated her time to working on her seventh studio album, hinting at a new musical direction for this project.
Ciara's career took another turn on January 27, 2017, when she signed a new record deal with Warner Bros. Records.
Ciara and Russell Wilson welcomed their first child together, a daughter, on April 28, 2017.
Ciara became a board director of her husband's non-profit organization, the Why Not You Foundation, in December 2017, demonstrating her commitment to philanthropy and education.
On July 17, 2018, Ciara released "Level Up" along with its music video. The song served as the first single from her upcoming album, "Beauty Marks."
Ciara experienced a resurgence in her career in 2018, marked by critical acclaim and recognition for her longevity and influence in the music industry.
Ciara's 2018 hit "Level Up" became a viral sensation, accompanied by the popular #LevelUp dance challenge. The song's popularity extended to its use in political campaigns and its contribution to bringing Jersey and Baltimore club music to the mainstream.
After much anticipation, Ciara's seventh studio album, "Beauty Marks," was released on May 10, 2019, featuring the lead single "Level Up."
In July 2019, it was announced that Ciara would appear as a judge alongside David Dobrik and Debbie Gibson in a new musical competition on Nickelodeon titled 'America's Most Musical Family'.
Ciara and Russell Wilson expanded their entrepreneurial portfolio in August 2019 by joining the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC, a Major League Soccer team.
On December 23, 2019, Ciara featured on the remix of longtime friend Blanco Brown's 'The Git Up'.
By 2019, Ciara's worldwide music sales surpassed 45 million.
In 2019, Ciara released her seventh album, "Beauty Marks," which included the platinum-certified single "Level Up." This year also marked her venture into modeling with IMG and becoming a Global Brand Ambassador for Revlon.
Ciara and Russell Wilson welcomed their second child, a son, on July 23, 2020.
After taking a break from music to focus on her pregnancy, Ciara released a song and video titled 'Rooted', featuring Ester Dean, on August 13, 2020.
In 2020, Ciara, alongside her husband and entrepreneur Christine Day, founded The House of LR&C, a fashion house encompassing the brands Good Man Brand, LITA by Ciara, and Human Nation.
In May 2021, Ciara, through the Why Not You Foundation, partnered with the NFL Players Association and Goalsetter to open checking accounts for students at Denny International Middle School, contributing $35,000 to the initiative.
Ciara's involvement in the Why Not You Foundation led to the opening of Why Not You Academy, a charter school, in June 2021, fulfilling a vision announced eight months prior.
Ciara and Russell Wilson announced their collaboration on a children's book, "Why Not You?," in September 2021, aiming to encourage children to pursue their aspirations.
Ciara expanded her business ventures in October 2021 by becoming an investor and co-owner of the Caribbean rum brand Ten To One Rum.
Between 2020 and 2021, Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson embarked on several business projects, opening the fashion house The House of LR&C, and signed a first look deal with Amazon Studios to start Why Not You Productions.
Ciara and Russell Wilson's television and film production company, Why Not You Productions, secured a deal with Amazon Prime Video in 2021, marking their entry into the streaming service market.
Ciara expanded The House of LR&C's offerings in 2021 by launching the Dare to Roam collection, featuring backpacks and bags made from recycled plastic.
Ciara and Russell Wilson co-authored a children's book titled "Why Not You?, " released on March 1, 2022. The book, aimed at inspiring children to follow their dreams, became a New York Times bestseller and received positive critical reception.
In March 2022, it was announced that Ciara had joined the cast of The Color Purple as Nettie Harris.
On June 29, 2022, it was announced that Ciara had signed a new record deal with Republic and Uptown Records, in partnership with her label, Beauty Marks Entertainment.
The first release from Ciara's new record deal was announced to be the single 'Jump', released on July 8, 2022.
In September 2022, it was insinuated that Ciara had collaborated with Summer Walker for a second time.
On September 28, 2022, Ciara released the uptempo single 'Better Thangs', which features Summer Walker.
The official music video for 'Better Thangs', directed by Mia Barnes, premiered online on September 30, 2022.
In November 2022, a remix of 'Better Thangs' featuring rapper GloRilla was released.
Ciara signed with Uptown Records, an imprint of Republic Records, in 2022. This partnership also involved her own label, Beauty Marks Entertainment.
On March 24, 2023, Ciara released the single 'Da Girls'.
On April 14, 2023, Ciara released a remix of 'Da Girls' with Lola Brooke and Lady London.
On April 25, 2023, the official music video to 'Slow', featuring Jackson Wang and Ciara, was released, showcasing dance-heavy choreography.
On May 12, 2023, Ciara released 'Versions', an EP with remixes to 'Da Girls', featuring Derrick Milano, Lay Bankz, and the previously released Girls Mix.
On June 30, 2023, Ciara released 'Get Loose' with Agnez Mo.
On August 18, 2023, Ciara released the EP titled 'CiCi', along with the music video for its second single 'Forever', featuring Lil Baby.
On November 3, 2023, Ciara released a remix to 'How We Roll', featuring a rap by Lil Wayne.
On November 10, 2023, Ciara released the single 'Fantasy', in collaboration with Canadian EDM trio Keys N Krates.
Ciara and Russell Wilson welcomed their third child, a daughter, on December 11, 2023.
The Color Purple was released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Ciara starred as Nettie in the 2023 remake of the film "The Color Purple."
Ciara released her debut EP, "CiCi," in 2023. The EP featured the singles "How We Roll" with Chris Brown and "Forever" featuring Lil Baby.